Steps toward Grid-based geological survey: Suggestions for a systems framework of models, ontologies, and workflows

Abstract

Consideration of an explicit systems framework for geological survey information is timely, to assist in developing and maintaining an integrated and coherent view of regional geoscience in a Grid-based context. A framework based on a solid Earth systems model is tentatively proposed in this paper. The developing advanced infrastructure of information and communications technology, the so-called Grid, points to more flexible global communication that will help to overcome artificial boundaries and divergence of concepts from separate places and scientific disciplines. Interoperability of information (the ability to amalgamate and work with concepts, terms or models from various sources, and thereby share and reuse information) will be a key to the Grid's success. Geological surveys can respond to the opportunity by changing their emphasis, away from publishing printed maps and related documents, towards maintaining a geoscience knowledge system from which scientific workflows can provide flexible services that match requirements specified by the user. The changing system should fit with, and build upon, existing patterns of human thought and the published record; include interpretation as an essential part of the conceptual building blocks that support geologists as they abstract, codify and reason, link observation to explanation, and predict what they have not yet observed; support improved representations of the geology; and encourage the use of generic concepts and ontologies, following international standards where appropriate.

Four interacting aspects of a geological survey knowledge system

“…Unlike a geographical map, the map of the geological framework has many dimensions. As a starting point for discussion, Loudon and Laxton (2007) suggested basing the contents map on a solid Earth systems model (a model of its systems, in the sense of sets of interacting parts operating as a whole and organized to perform a specific function). The model refers to the three-dimensional disposition and configuration of the present-day objects of geoscience (the location and arrangement of the things of geological interest), to their observed and interpreted properties and composition, and also to their history throughout geological time, including the processes that created and altered them and are critical to the interpretation.…”

Developing a geoscience knowledge framework for a national geological survey organisation

“…From the first moment of fieldwork, a geologist assembles a mental 3 and 4 dimensional model of stratigraphy and structure, and this is then iteratively adjusted as more observational evidence is accumulated (Jones et al, 2004;Kastens and Ishikawa, 2006). As this model develops, the geologist continues to test and refine their interpretation against the available prior information, including his or her own knowledge and understanding of geological processes and concepts (Loudon and Laxton, 2007). The mapping geologist will also develop an appreciation of the interdependencies (and inconsistencies) between data and interpretation, and will also evolve an impression of their confidence (or degree of certainty) in their model, though this may be highly subjective, dependent on previous experience or bias, and may even be influenced by pressures to conform with fashionable concepts and scientific trends (Jones et al, 2004;Bowden, 2004;Baddeley et al, 2004).…”

“…There is much knowledge about how to analyse, manage, visualise and apply geological information that either lies latent in a scientist's mind or is expressed in a software specific language. Being able to express the semantics of that knowledge in ontologies is critical to support the future of geological research in a grid environment (Loudon and Laxton, 2007).…”

“…Geological mapping involves an iterative process of observation, recording, conceptualisation and interpretation (Loudon and Laxton, 2007). From the first moment of fieldwork, a geologist assembles a mental 3 and 4 dimensional model of stratigraphy and structure, and this is then iteratively adjusted as more observational evidence is accumulated (Jones et al, 2004;Kastens and Ishikawa, 2006).…”

Linked Geoscience Data in practice: where W3C standards meet domain knowledge, data visualization and OGC standards

“…2 An approach to leverage geoscience data service Researchers in various sub-disciplines of geoscience have discussed the embedded knowledge in datasets (Loudon and Laxton, 2007;Ma et al, 2010;Richard et al, 2003). Their work reveals that there is a process for information passes from the tacit knowledge in researchers' memory to the design of methods and procedures, data structures, data collection, and eventually to the shared datasets.…”